Chlorine Tablet Holder

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, the tool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, the housing can further comprise a release button disposed from a top side of the housing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectively release the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips. Other embodiments of related apparatuses are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/649,380, entitled “Chlorine Tablet Holder,” filed Mar. 28, 2018,which is incorporated by referenced herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to tools for cleaning pools, andrelates more particularly to chlorine tablet holders.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning pool tiles clean from dirt and algae can take lot of effortwhen using typical cleaning tools, such as brushes or scrubbing sponges.Some users may use chemicals, such as chlorine to clean pool tiles. Theability to use a handheld tool and chlorine tablets to clean pool tilesis beneficial for pool cleaners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front-side perspective view of a tool according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a tool according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 depicts the tool of FIG. 5 along the cross-sectional line 6-6 inFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom-side, perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elementsmay be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically orotherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time,e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electricalcoupling” and the like should be broadly understood and includeelectrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,”“removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does notmean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean withinplus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the statedvalue. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus orminus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the statedvalue.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, thetool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. Inmany embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more gripscircumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adaptedto grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, the housing canfurther comprise a release button disposed from a top side of thehousing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectivelyrelease the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips.

Some embodiments can include a tool. In a number of embodiments, thetool can comprise a housing configured to hold a chlorine tablet. Inmany embodiments, the housing can comprise one or more gripscircumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing and adaptedto grip the chlorine tablet. In some embodiments the tool further cancomprise a handle comprising at least one handle button adapted toactuate the one or more grips.

Many embodiments comprise a tool for cleaning a pool. In someembodiments, the tool can comprise a housing. In a number ofembodiments, the housing can comprise one or more grips adapted to gripa tablet. In some embodiments, the tool further can comprise a handlereleasably coupled to a hinge portion. In many embodiments, the hingeportion can be operably coupled to the housing.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of atool 100. In a number of embodiments, tool 100 can comprise a housing102 configured to hold a chlorine tablet (not shown) or any other typeof tablet. In many embodiments, housing 102 can comprise one or moregrips 104 circumferentially disposed at a bottom side 106 of housing 102and adapted to grip the chlorine tablet (not shown). In manyembodiments, bottom side 106 can be configured to hold any shapedchlorine tablet. In a number of embodiments, bottom side 106 can be thesame or similar shape as the chlorine tablet. In many embodiments, tool100 can be used to scrub or erase the chlorine tablet directly on a poolwall in order to clean algae and other contaminants off the pool wall.When finished scrubbing the pool wall, the chlorine tablet can bereleased and used in a pool floater or floating chlorine dispenser, soas to not waste the remainder of the chlorine tablet. In manyembodiments, one or more grips 104 can be configured to hold a standard3-inch chlorine tablet. In some embodiments, one or more grips 104 canbe configured to hold a differently-sized chlorine tablet. In someembodiments, bottom side 106 can be one shape, and one or more grips 104can approximate a different shape.

In many embodiments, one or more grips 104 can be equally dispersedaround bottom side 106. In some embodiments, one or more grips 104 cancomprise one or more sets of two grips. In a number of embodiments, oneor more grips 104 can comprise three sets of grips. In many embodiments,each of one or more grips 104 can comprise an edge 124 and a lip 126. Insome embodiments, edge 124 and lip 126 can further secure the tabletwithin bottom side 106. In some embodiments, a width of lip 126 (e.g.,lip width 674 (FIG. 6)) can be greater than a width of one or more grips104. In some embodiments, lip 126 can extend within bottom 106.

Turning briefly to FIG. 3 through FIG. 6, which show tool 100 indifferent views, and discussing these figures together, in someembodiments, the diameter 330 of one or more grips 104 circumferentiallydisposed at bottom side 106 of housing 102 can be approximately 70millimeters (mm) to 90 mm. In many embodiments, height 440 of tool 100can be approximately 40 mm to 60 mm. In many embodiments, a tool length450 can be approximately 160 mm to 200 mm. In some embodiments, a handlewidth 580 can be approximately 20 mm to approximately 30 mm. In a numberof embodiments, a grip edge height 670 can be approximately 15 mm toapproximately 20 mm, a release button height 660 can be approximately 18mm to approximately 25 mm, and an inner diameter 682 of the one or moregrips can be approximately 70 mm to 80 mm. In some embodiments, innerdiameter 682 can be approximately 77.3 mm. In some embodiments, a lipheight 672 can be approximately 2 mm to 4 mm and a lip width 674 can beapproximately 2 mm to 4 mm.

Returning to FIG. 1, in many embodiments, housing 102 can furthercomprise a release button 108 disposed from a top side 110 of housing102 to bottom side 106 and can be configured to selectively release thechlorine tablet from one or more grips 104. In some embodiments, releasebutton 108 can comprise a rod 122 disposed through housing 102 and whichcan contact the chlorine tablet (not shown). Briefly turning to FIG. 7,which illustrates a bottom perspective view of tool 100 by showing thebottom view of bottom 106, in some embodiments, rod 122 can press thechlorine tablet (not shown) out of housing 102 and one or more grips104, when release button 108 is depressed.

In a number of embodiments, tool 100 can further comprise a handle 112operably coupled to housing 102. In some embodiments, handle 112 can beoperably coupled to housing 102 by a hinge 114. In some embodiments,hinge 114 can comprise a pivot rod 116. In many embodiments, hinge 114can be coupled to housing 102 at a pivot point 118. In some embodiments,hinge 114 can be configured to rotate approximately 0 degrees to 180degrees about pivot point 118. In the same or other embodiments, hinge114 can be configured to rotate approximately 0 degrees to 90 degreesabout pivot point 118. In some embodiments, hinge 114 can be configuredto rotate about pivot point 118 in approximately 10-degree, 15-degree,20-degree or 30-degree increments.

In many embodiments, handle 112 can comprise a handle button 120. In avariety of embodiments, handle 112 can be selectively disconnected fromthe remainder of tool 100 by depressing handle button 120. In the sameor other embodiments, the one or more grips 104 can be actuated orspread when handle button 120 is depressed. In a number of embodiments,a first handle (e.g., handle 112) can be replaced with a second handle.In some embodiments, the second handle can be longer than the firsthandle. In a number of embodiments, the second handle can be a pole fromanother pool tool (e.g., a pole from a pool skimmer). In someembodiments, tool 100 can comprise a handle 112. In some embodiments,handle 112 further can comprise at least one handle release buttonadapted to actuate one or more grips 104 to release the chlorine tablet.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of tool 200, which can be similar totool 100 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, tool 200 can comprise housing202, which can be similar to housing 102 (FIG. 1), pivot rod 216 (whichcan be similar to pivot rod 116 (FIG. 1)), and handle 212 (which can besimilar to handle 112 (FIG. 1)). In many embodiments, tool 200 furthercan comprise a release button 208, which can be similar to releasebutton 108 (FIG. 1). Release button 208 can comprise a rod 222, whichcan be similar to rod 122 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, pivot rod 216 can comprise one or more sprocketsets comprised of at least one sprocket 250. In some embodiments, theone or more sprocket sets further comprises at least one button 252. Inmany embodiments, at least one sprocket 250 can comprise a sprocket rod253. In many embodiments, hinge 214 can further comprise a spring 254which can be set or coupled to sprocket rod 253. In many embodiments,sprocket 250 and button 252 can be used to adjust the angle of handle212. In some embodiments, at least one button 252 can be depressed inorder to compress spring 254 allow handle 212 to pivot by rotatingsprocket 250 about pivot point 218. In many embodiments, pivot point 218can comprise one or more pivot slots 257 and sprocket 250 can compriseone or more sprockets 255. In a number of embodiments, the angle ofhandle 212 can be adjusted by depressing button 252, which can compressspring 254, allowing the one or more sprockets 255 to be removed fromone or more pivot slots 257 and allowing the one or more sprockets 255to rotate. The one or more sprockets 255 can then be temporarily setinto the one or more pivot slots 257 at a new location when button 252is released. In some embodiments, one or more sprockets can beconfigured to rotate about pivot point 218 in approximately 10-degree,15-degree, 20-degree or 30-degree increments.

Although a tool for holding a chlorine tablet has been described above,it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is not intended to belimiting. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure shall belimited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example,to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent thatany element of the FIGS. 1-7 may be modified, and that the foregoingdiscussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarilyrepresent a complete description of all possible embodiments.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstructionand not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutionsto problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in suchclaim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool comprising: a housing configured to hold achlorine tablet and comprising: one or more grips circumferentiallydisposed at a bottom side of the housing and adapted to grip thechlorine tablet; and a release button disposed from a top side of thehousing to the bottom side of the housing and configured to selectivelyrelease the chlorine tablet from the one or more grips.
 2. The tool ofclaim 1, wherein: each of the one or more grips comprise an edge and alip.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein: a diameter of the one or moregrips circumferentially disposed at the bottom side of the housing isapproximately 70 mm to 90 mm.
 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein: a heightof the housing is approximately 40 mm to 60 mm.
 5. The tool of claim 1,further comprising: a handle operably coupled to the housing.
 6. Thetool of claim 5, wherein: the handle is configured to selectivelydisconnect from the housing.
 7. The tool of claim 5, wherein: the handleis operably coupled to the housing by a hinge.
 8. The tool of claim 7,wherein: the hinge comprises a pivot rod.
 9. The tool of claim 7,wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; and thehandle is configured to rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivot point.10. The tool of claim 7, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing ata pivot point; and the handle is configured to rotate about the pivotpoint in approximately 30-degree increments.
 11. A tool comprising: ahousing configured to hold a chlorine tablet and comprising one or moregrips circumferentially disposed at a bottom side of the housing andadapted to grip the chlorine tablet; and a handle coupled to the housingand comprising at least one handle button adapted to actuate the one ormore grips.
 12. The tool of claim 11, wherein: each of the one or moregrips comprise an edge and a lip.
 13. The tool of claim 11, wherein: adiameter of the one or more grips circumferentially disposed at thebottom side of the housing is approximately 70 mm to 90 mm.
 14. The toolof claim 11, wherein: a height of the housing is approximately 40 mm to60 mm.
 15. The tool of claim 11, wherein: the handle is operably coupledto the housing by a hinge.
 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein: the hingeis coupled to the housing at a pivot point; and the handle is configuredto rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivot point.
 17. The tool of claim15, wherein: the hinge is coupled to the housing at a pivot point; andthe handle is configured to rotate about the pivot point inapproximately 30-degree increments.
 18. A tool for cleaning a pool,comprising: a housing comprising one or more grips adapted to grip atablet; a handle releasably coupled to a hinge portion; and the hingeportion is operably coupled to the housing.
 19. The tool of claim 18,wherein: the hinge portion is coupled to the housing at a pivot point;and the handle is configured to rotate up to 180 degrees about the pivotpoint.
 20. The tool of claim 18, wherein: the hinge is coupled to thehousing at a pivot point; and the handle is configured to rotate aboutthe pivot point in approximately 30-degree increments.